More than two years after well-publicized COVID-19 outbreaks at JBS meatpacking plants, federal authorities have required a handful to develop plans to prevent future infectious disease outbreaks.
Under a plan announced by OSHA late last week, seven plants will work with outside experts to produce protocols to screen for diseases and stockpile personal protective equipment. Some plants complained early in the pandemic they had difficulty acquiring needed facemasks.
Because federal OSHA only oversees 28 states (the remaining states have their own worker safety agencies), some of JBS's plants with high COVID-19 case counts were not included in the plan. This includes the Marshalltown, Iowa, plant, where at least one worker died from the disease.
— Madison McVan, reporter
OSHA requires JBS to implement disease preparedness measures at seven plants | Madison McVan, Investigate Midwest
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requiring JBS, one of the largest meatpacking companies in the country, to take steps to prevent future disease outbreaks at seven of its plants in six states: Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
'Where is she?': Iowa's Indigenous communities grapple with crisis of missing and murdered women | Amelia Schafer, for Investigate Midwest
Rita Papakee’s family last saw her more than seven years ago. At about 1 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2015, Papakee, 41, left work at the Meskwaki Bingo Casino and Hotel in Tama County, Iowa. She was reported missing by her family on Feb. 18, 2015, to the Meskwaki Nation Police Department after she did not pick up her last paycheck. Indigenous people are missing in Iowa, but disappearances span the nation.
OPINION: Drones are making Big Meat sweat | Dave Dickey
It goes without saying that Big Meat is a very secretive bunch. They don't want anyone to EVER pry into their business of just how the sausage is made, and with good reason.
